Windows - Agate grey vs White

[TryingMyBestHonestly]

Hi all!

We need to replace all the windows in our first house a 1930s semi, as the current aluminium ones are essentially on their last legs.

I was absolutely set on agate grey flush sash, but now I’m having a wobble and wondering if white would actually look better/be more in keeping with the house.

It’s a semi-detached and our joint neighbours have white windows. Part of me thinks white is more classic and safer, but I do really like the look of agate grey and it feels a bit more modern.

I’ve attached some mock-ups (done on ChatGPT) of our actual house showing both options. The glazing bar/panel configuration wouldn’t be exactly the same as shown as we’ve chosen a slightly different layout, but it gives a general idea of the colours.

Would love to hear thoughts! Thanks :)

White. Especially from your photos, white just looks better n the house. A stone shade could work though.

First post nails it. White.

White, definitely!

I really dislike the trend for grey window frames. They keep being put in 1930’s houses around me and I think it looks terrible.

White. Especially since it is a period house.

Grey window frames make a house's face look miserable.

Agate grey isn’t really grey, it’s a cusp bluey green and it looks great on windows and doors. I don’t think it will age. Cusp colours for doors and windows have been around for decades , way longer than a fashion cycle.

Grey kitchens/bathrooms and windows have already dated badly. Its very pre covid. Can't go wrong with white.

I think the white looks better. Grey windows are already looking dated to me.

Hi, yes appreciate the honesty and I agree! Definitely not planning on keeping the panels like this. Will be going for 4 equal vertical panels on the bays with no small openers or anything like that. The windows will also be flush sash so sight lines will be equal and hopefully look sleek. thanks!

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the opinions! I was leaning towards white and can say I’ve definitely been 100% swayed. White just makes sense and won’t be something we’d ever regret.

Also the panels won’t be staying like that, not a fan of the current layout.

White, I prefer.
.
Though the Agate is a nice shade and makes the windows appear larger as the frames and the panes meld together.

White allows for an array of front door colours, if you like a pop of colour.
You could paint the front door a deeper sea blue green (one that looks well with the walls) or white, red, yellow or dark purple.

I was trying to think of how to expess this. I like the term "cusp colour" !

When people only had wood window frames they painted them in plenty of different colours. They certainly weren't just painted white. Since upvc became available white has become the norm, but it's obviously not the only option.

Have what you like OP! I think as long as you have a slim frame your windows will be lovely.

This

We've just renovated a 1930's house, the outside looks the same colour as yours and we got thin, black, aluminium windows. We'd previously had crittall windows, which have a very thin profile edge and wanted a similar thin frame. We haven't noticed any issues with additional heat loss etc. We didn't replace the leading that our previous windows had. Just clear glass.

Are you replacing with aluminium or UPVC? If a thin aluminium, I'd look into black, if UPVC then definitely white.

Good ideas. With our Agate window frames we chose blue grey for the aluminium front door, which is quite a warm colour. It's not exactly a contrast but in the same family, and goes well with the brick colour.

That sounds fab!

Grey is over-used.
We went with green.

I really like the grey , a point of difference

Also voting white

The grey looks much nicer. The white clashes against the cream house colour and looks too stark.

Personally I think that white windows rarely look good. We are so deeply conditioned to think of white as a safe option, but objectively, white is extremely harsh against brick and stone and actually draws attention to the frames rather than softening them.and anchoring them to the rest of the exterior.

I live in an area with a a lot of historic older houses and the majority of them have wooden painted windows in various shades of stone, soft greys and greens. Those that have used white look jarring and cheap in comparison.

I think the PPs who are anti grey are thinking of the dark anthracite grey which was a very specific fashion. The grey in your photo is lovely and complements the house so much better than the white.

Yes absolutely.

A house in our road has just had grey windows fitted. Looks absolutely awful and sticks out like a sore thumb against all the other houses in the road.

In a few years I’m sure someone will change them back to white again.

White. The grey will date very quickly indeed.

White, timeless

Neither.

White goes with most colours, except cream and yellow.

Agate grey works with red brick.

Your house is cream. So I agree with @7238SM. Thin black aluminium windows are the best option.

White